Roadmaster BlackHawk Operating instructions

Brand: Roadmaster

Model: BlackHawk

Type: Operating instructions

BLACKHAWK

ALL SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

ROADMASTER

ROADMASTER, INC. 6110 NE 127th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98682 800-669-9690 FAX (360) 735-9300 www.roadmasterinc.com

85-1893-02

1-800-669-9690

OWNERS AND INSTALLERS MUST READ THE INSTALLATION

INSTRUCTIONS AND CAREFULLY NOTE THE WARNINGS!

Take part “A” and mount it on the passenger side

as shown, using the supplied 1/2" x 1-1/2" bolts,

safety plate "C", flat washers, lock washers and nuts.

Do not tighten - leave loose for now - they will be

tightened later.

NOTE: Parts “A & B” have an extra hole "D" designed

for safety cable attachment. Mount holes to outside

The remaining part “B” is to be mounted to the driver

side of the mounting bracket. Be sure that the

corner hole “D”, is on the outer side of the bracket parts

“A & B” which must also have the vertical pin facing

upward to properly mount the QD Base. Use the

supplied 1/2" x 1-1/2" bolts, safety plate "C", flat

washers, lock washers and nuts. Do not tighten - leave

loose for now, they will be tightened later.

Linch pins must be inserted through the upper holes

in parts “A & B” and locked as illustrated in the

column above to keep the QD Base stabilized.

ROADMASTER RECOMMENDS REPLACING AT

LEAST ONE LINCH PIN WITH A PADLOCK TO

PREVENT ACCIDENTAL RELEASE OR THEFT.

Now tighten all bolts to 75 ft.lbs. Attach safety cables

to the holes “D” located to the outside of Quick Disconnect

parts “A & B”.

WARNING: Unless the safety cables are attached to the

Quick-Disconnect mount properly, hole "D", the safety

cables will not keep you from losing your towed vehicle

in the event the QD Base comes off parts "A & B".

PIN MUST BE

LOCKED

NO!NO!

NO!

YESYES

YES

linch

pins

mounting

bracket

Optional stabilizer bar may be

required if vehicles frame is

torqued or twisted preventing

the proper spacing of the tow

bar mounting bracket holes.

BLACKHAWK

QD Base

safety

plate

mounting

bracket

safety

plate

Now, mount the

QD Base by lowering

it so that the vertical pins

of parts “A & B” extend

upward through the top

holes of the QD Base. At

the same time, be sure the

lower vertical pins of the

QD Base slide through the

lower holes on parts “A & B”.

BLACKHAWK TOW BARBLACKHAWK TOW BAR

BLACKHAWK TOW BAR

RARA

TED 8,000 LBS.TED 8,000 LBS.

TED 8,000 LBS.

IMPORTANT: Towing vibrations

will force the linch pins to wiggle

out unless they are properly

LOCKED in place over the

Quick-Disconnect pins. The

proper locked position for the

linch pins is illustrated above.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Linch

QD Base

Proper installation of Quick-Disconnect at vehicle

mounting bracket should look like this illustration

QUICK

DISCONNECT

PART “A”

LINCH PIN

VEHICLE

MOUNTING

BRACKET

SAFETY PLATE

QD Base

OPTIONAL

STABILIZER BAR

WARNING: Failure to install linch pins properly will

result in tow warningbar malfunction, loss and

damage to your vehicle and property, injury or even

death. You will lose your car.

ABOUT QUICK-DISCONNECTS: When installing the

Quick-Disconnects they need to be centered on the tow

vehicle. If installed too far to either left or right it will

cause excessive tire wear, since the towed vehicle will

be pulled at a slight angle instead of straight on.

CAUTION!

SAFE

ZONE

LEVEL

ON LEVEL GROUND, DO NOT TOW IF TOW BAR IS

OVER 3 INCHES OFF LEVEL IN EITHER DIRECTION

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT

IN DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE

CAUTION

SAFETY CABLES MUST CONNECT THE TOWING VEHICLE TO THE TOWED VEHICLE FRAME TO FRAME.

FOLLOW SAFETY INFORMATION IN WARRANTY PACKET

PROPER INSTALLATION OF SAFETY CABLES

Connect Snap Hooks to

Quick Links as shown for

easy removal of cables.

Optional quick links are needed to

connect cables to loops on

receiver or frame.

ARNING:ARNING:

ARNING:

USE ONLY 8,000 LB. RATED SAFETY CABLES

Towing with an upward or downward slope of the tow bar puts undue strain on the tow bar and mounting brackets. DO

NOT TOW if the BLACKHAWK is over 3 inches off level as shown (see CAUTION below). To determine if your bar

is at a safe angle:

a. Connect car and motorhome on level ground.

b. Measure from the ground to the center of the receiver.

c. Measure from the ground to the center of the base pin.

d. Compare these two measurements. If they are more than 6" apart you will need to use a Receiver

Drop. This will increase or decrease the height of the motorhome's receiver as needed.

Cross cables under hitch. This will help

prevent the tow bar from hitting the road

and "pole-vaulting" in case the tow bar

separates from the motorhome.

If you use any kind of receiver extension then the tow bar MUST be within 3 inches of level instead of 6 inches (see

illustration above). The added length will cause the tow bar to swing higher and lower when going though severe dips

and bumps. This can result in severe damage to the towing assembly. ROADMASTER does not recommend using any

extension over 12 inches. Doing so will void your warranty.

Snap

Hook

Quick

Link

DANGER

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS

WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, PROPERTY DAMAGE

AND PERSONAL INJURY

DO NOT TOW YOUR VEHICLE

UNTIL TOW BAR IS SECURE

WITH ALL PINS AND/OR LOCKS

Unless your tow bar is secured to both

vehicles with all designated

pins and/or padlocks,

you will lose your towed vehicle.

CAUTION!

NEVER BACK UP WHEN TOWING

YOUR VEHICLE

Backing up while the towed vehicle is attached, will

easily "jackknife" the vehicle being towed. This will

result in damage to the towed vehicle, hitch, tow bar

assembly, and/or motorhome.

Roadmaster, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any

damage that is caused by improper use. Backing up

with a towed vehicle is considered "improper use".

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS

COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, PROPERTY DAMAGE

AND PERSONAL INJURY

INSTALLER MUSTS FOR SAFETY

1. INSTALLER MUST SHOW OWNER HOW TO OPERATE THE TOW BAR PROPERLY.

Carefully read the section "Hook-up Instructions" and familiarize yourself with the features of the tow bar.

Demonstrate it and have the customer do a few "Practice Runs". You not only impress your customer with

your thoroughness, but will start your customer off on a safer and happier towing experience.

INSTALLER MUST CAUTION OWNER TO USE A HITCH OR RECEIVER FOR THE MOTORHOME THAT

IS RATED HIGHER THAN THE ACTUAL WEIGHT OF THE TOWED VEHICLE, INCLUDING ALL ITS CONTENTS.

3. INSTALLER MUST CAUTION OWNER TO SECURE TOW BAR TO BOTH VEHICLES WITH DESIGNATED

LINCH PINS AND/OR PADLOCKS.

Unless all the required pins are used to secure the tow bar to both vehicles, the owner will lose his towed vehicle.

4. INSTALLER MUST BOLT THE BLACKHAWK QD BASE TO A MOUNTING BRACKET ATTACHED TO

THE TOW VEHICLE’S FRAME OR UNIBODY.

The BLACKHAWK tow bar is designed as a bolt-on device only. Virtually all vehicles require a mounting bracket

assembly that is connected safely to the frame, unibody or chassis and extends beyond the bumper. Using a

mounting bracket kit designed by ROADMASTER takes the burden of doubt out of the installer's hands. Under

no circumstances should the tow bar be welded to the vehicle, nor should any of the pre-punched

mounting holes be altered. In fact, any welding or altering of the tow bar will void the Owner's Warranty.

5. INSTALLER MUST ADVISE OWNER TO ADD 8,000 LB. OR HIGHER RATED SAFETY CABLES.

Frame to frame safety cables are legal in ALL states.

6. INSTALLER MUST STRESS IMPORTANCE OF OWNER SENDING IN WARRANTY CARD.

New owners are to be urged to send in the Warranty Registration Card as soon as possible. This will enable

ROADMASTER to expedite any claim or update important information concerning the BLACKHAWK tow bar.

7. INSTALLER MUST READ INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE MOUNTING THE TOW BAR.

Proper mounting of the tow bar is of utmost importance. Proper centering and height positioning of the tow bar

will give the owner a safe, dependable and trouble-free towing system.

8. INSTALLER MUST BE SURE VEHICLE IS SUITABLE OR ADAPTABLE FOR TOWING.

Not all vehicles can be safely towed as manufactured. A few models are not towable under any conditions and

others with automatic transmissions require additional equipment such as a transmission lube pump, axle lock,

driveline disconnect or free-wheeling hubs to make them towable. Failure to properly equip vehicle will result in

severe damage to the transmission. The steering wheel MUST be unlocked for towing. Check manufacturer's

specifications for proper way to unlock the steering wheel.

WARRANTY PROCEDURES

If you have any problems with this product, immediately contact ROADMASTER at 1-800-669-9690. If necessary, we can direct you to your

nearest warranty service center and make arrangements for any warranty repairs or replacements. While under warranty, ROADMASTER will

make arrangements for your product to be repaired or replaced. Do not purchase replacement parts or pay for labor - you will not be

reimbursed. See section titled "Roadmaster Limited Warranty" for specific details.

BLACKHAWK

™

HOOK-UP INSTRUCTIONS

READ INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY

STEP 2

With the BLACKHAWK tow bar in the

folded position (Fig.1), insert it into the

motorhome's receiver and secure with Hitch

Pin & Pin Clip.

STEP 1

Follow Installation Instructions to

mount BLACKHAWK QD Base (Fig. 4).

STEP 3

Firmly hold both tow bar arms and rotate

them so that they are vertical as shown in

Figure 2. WARNING: Never let go of

the arms when they are in the vertical

position. The arms can fall and cause

severe injury if any part of your body is

in the way.

fig. 1

STEP 4

Push the release latch forward to bring

both arms down to a horizontal position

(Fig. 3). Swing both arms away from you

aligning the outermost arm with the tabs

on the QD Base (Fig. 4). Using the

included Base Pin, attach the arm and

secure with the linch pin or optional

padlock.

fig. 2

STEP 5

Now, swing the other arm to the

opposite side and connect in the same

manner. WARNING: Make sure that all

pins and /or locks are in place and

properly secured before towing or you

will lose your towed vehicle.

TOP VIEW OF BLACKHAWK QD Base

Tow bar arm

Base Pin

Linch Pin

Tabs

Base Pin

READ AND FOLLOW THE WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN YOUR TOW

BAR OWNER'S MANUAL. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD CAUSE

PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR DEATH.

fig. 4

DON'T FORGETDON'T FORGET

DON'T FORGET

TO HOOK-UP YOUR WIRING ANDTO HOOK-UP YOUR WIRING AND

TO HOOK-UP YOUR WIRING AND

SAFETY CABLES OR CHAINSSAFETY CABLES OR CHAINS

SAFETY CABLES OR CHAINS

STEP 6

Your tow bar will center itself and the

AUTOWLOK System will lock into place

as you drive away. To Disconnect, just

reverse your steps to hook-up.

Drawings are for illustration

purposes only. Your tow bar may

appear differently.

WARNING:

Use caution when

operating the tow bar to be sure that

your hands, fingers or any part of your

body does not get caught between any

moving components. Doing so can

result in pinching, crushing or cutting

causing severe personal injury.

fig. 3

Release Latch

IMPORIMPOR

IMPOR

ANTANT

ANT

BLACKHAWK Base Pins

MUST BE INSTMUST BE INST

MUST BE INST

ALLEDALLED

ALLED

and locked as shown in

this photo

Fuse Plate

Roadmaster BlackHawk Operating instructions

Roadmaster BlackHawk Operating instructions

Roadmaster BlackHawk Operating instructions

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